Mr. Dunn

Consumer Education and Economics

COURSE SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR:  LARRY DUNN

2011 – 2012 School Year

TEXT:  Consumer Education and Economics

1. DESCRIPTION

The text introduces student to the world of consumer and economic education using the following features:

• Reading with Purpose features build reading skills.  Students learn to define vocabulary, visualize ideas, paraphrase chapter content, and create outlines.
• Savvy Consumer features guide students in applying their knowledge as they analyze actual situations.
• Contemporary content includes changes and developments in health care systems, consumer laws, and the continued growth of internet resources.
• Skill development focuses on critical thinking, decision-making, problem solving, and resource management.
• Economic impact & Issues features explore how events impact the economy with issues such as the cost of college, consumer confidence, saving for retirement, and insuring against disaster.
• InfoSource features help student develop essential consumer skills of finding and utilizing print and online resources for reliable information.
• Dollars and sense features provide practical tips to help student make the most of their money.

2. ORGANIZATION

The lessons will be presented in several different ways, lecture discussion, demonstration, co-operative learning, and differentiated learning.  Objectives will be given daily.  This class will usually consist of 11^th and 12^th graders and will be an introduction to the world of consumer economics.  Emphasis will focus on helping the student become an effective and smart consumer.

3. COURSE OBJECTIVES

Consumer education has been described as addressing four general areas. These are:

• Consumer Decision making. Covers critical thinking skills related to consumers' goals, needs, wants, and the effects of attitudes, advertising, information and opportunity costs on consumer behavior.
• Economics. Examines the allocation of scarce resources among competing wants. Explores the principles of supply and demand and how prices are determined. Other topics include growth and productivity, global interdependence and the interrelated roles of consumers, producers, and government in an economic system.
• Personal Finance. Includes budgeting, record keeping, income and net worth statements, credit, saving and investing, retirement and estate planning, insurance, and taxes.
• Rights and Responsibilities. Includes responsible citizenship concerning consumer protection laws and regulations, and redress mechanisms. Also addresses topics such as the environment, safety, health care and affordable goods and services.

Consumer education is multi disciplinary by design. As a result, consumer concepts may be found throughout the school curriculum. Subjects that may include consumer concepts are economics, civics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, language arts, business education and home economics.

Consumer education offers more than knowledge and skills; it promotes critical thinking, problem solving, and action. The objectives include helping students:

• Gain knowledge to act as informed consumers. For example, knowledge of consumer rights and basic nutrition.
• Develop an understanding of society's function as a whole and the specific role of consumers. For example, the understanding of the role of companies in the economic system; the role of the government in society and the role of consumer organizations.
• Master skills to function as informed and responsible consumers. For example, writing a letter of complaint; spotting sales gimmicks and using products knowledgeably.
• Recognize it is important to be an informed consumer.
• Act as informed, educated and responsible consumers.

Traditionally, consumer education focused on developing skills for the individual consumer— skills such as buying quality goods, finding low prices and avoiding seller deception the marketplace. The focus should be on maximizing personal satisfaction at minimum cost.

Students of Consumer education today are encouraged to also consider the impact of choices on the well-being of others. Elements of this socially-responsible perspective follow.

• Critical awareness. Consumers need to learn how to distinguish needs from wants; and how to ask informed questions.
• Action and involvement. Once they have acquired knowledge and awareness, consumers can confidently act to make their voices heard.
• Social responsibility. Consumers must act with concern and sensitivity, aware of the impact of their actions on others, particularly the disadvantaged.
• Ecological responsibility. Consumers should recognize the impact of their decisions on the physical environment and possible conflict between the desire to own things and the destruction of the environment.
• Solidarity. The most effective Consumer action is through the formation of citizen groups. Together such groups can acquire the strength and influence to make sure that adequate attention is given to the consumer interest.

4. COURSE TOPICS

1. 1.      Consumer Powers & Protections
2. 2.      Consumer Management
3. 3.      Responsible Choices
4. 4.      Career Decisions
5. 5.      The U.S. Economic System
6. 6.      The Health of the Economy
7. 7.      Global Economics
8. 8.      Income and taxes
9. 9.      Financial Planning
10. 10.  Banking
11. 11.  Consumer Credit
12. 12.  Savings
13. 13.  Investments
14. 14.  Insurance
15. 15.  Persuasion in the Marketplace
16. 16.  Shopping Skills
17. 17.  Technology Products
18. 18.  Clothing and Grooming
19. 19.  Transportation
20. 20.  Recreation
21. 21.  Food and Nutrition
22. 22.  Health Care
23. 23.  Housing and Furnishings

5. GRADING PLAN

1. Classroom Participation                      35%
2. Projects and Quizzes                                       25%
3. Teamwork                                                                   20%
4. Attendance                                                                 10%
5. Final Exam                                                                  10%

                                                                                    ___      ___      ___                 

                                                                        35% + 25% + 40% = 100%

6. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1. Enter room quietly and begin working on your classroom/homework assignments.
2. Respect fellow classmates at all times.
3. No name calling or insulting classmates
4. Ask permission to get out of seat.
5. Raise hand to be acknowledged.
6. No headphones, mp3’s or iPods’.
7. Bring textbook, pencils, pens and notepaper to class every day.
8. Clean up space around your desk or work area before you leave the room.
9. Log off computers before leaving classroom and return to storage area.